For the Jews that were in Shushan gathered themselves together on the fourteenth day also of the month Adar, and slew three hundred men at Shushan; but on the prey they laid not their hand.
Read it in contextHaman’s Sons Hanged
Start reading at Esther 9:11 (Esther 9:11 to Esther 9:17).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
The danger is addressed through a new decree, and the events become the basis for the observance of Purim.
9:11On that day the number of those that were slain in Shushan the palace was brought before the king.
9:12And the king said unto Esther the queen, The Jews have slain and destroyed five hundred men in Shushan the palace, and the ten sons of Haman; what have they done in the rest of the king's provinces? now what is thy petition? and it shall be granted thee: or what is thy request further? and it shall be done.
9:13Then said Esther, If it please the king, let it be granted to the Jews which are in Shushan to do to morrow also according unto this day's decree, and let Haman's ten sons be hanged upon the gallows.
9:14And the king commanded it so to be done: and the decree was given at Shushan; and they hanged Haman's ten sons.
9:15For the Jews that were in Shushan gathered themselves together on the fourteenth day also of the month Adar, and slew three hundred men at Shushan; but on the prey they laid not their hand.
9:16But the other Jews that were in the king's provinces gathered themselves together, and stood for their lives, and had rest from their enemies, and slew of their foes seventy and five thousand, but they laid not their hands on the prey,
9:17On the thirteenth day of the month Adar; and on the fourteenth day of the same rested they, and made it a day of feasting and gladness.
Study content, not yet reviewed.
Who
Who wrote the book? The final author is unknown. Mordecai is a traditional proposal and wrote letters establishing Purim, but that does not prove he composed the whole book. Biblical references: Esther 9:20; Esther 9:29. book background
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Esther 8:1–10:3): Esther, Mordecai, the king, officials, and Jewish communities throughout the provinces are involved in the counter-decree, deliverance, and establishment of Purim. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? Jewish communities in the Persian Empire and their descendants, especially those commemorating their deliverance at Purim. Biblical references: Esther 9:20; Esther 9:28. stated in the text
What
What is the topic of this reading unit? Haman’s Sons Hanged. Read Esther 9:11 through Esther 9:17 as a connected unit. interpretation
How does it contribute to the book? The danger is addressed through a new decree, and the events become the basis for the observance of Purim. interpretation
When
When are the events or message set? The narrative dates events by the reign of Ahasuerus, including the threatened destruction and the days later commemorated as Purim. book background
Where
What is the book’s geographic setting? Shushan's palace and the Persian provinces form the setting; court scenes and provincial events should be distinguished. book background
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in Haman’s Sons Hanged (Esther 9:11 to Esther 9:17).
Start reading at Esther 9:11. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? The preservation of the Jewish people belongs to the wider history in which the New Testament places Jesus' birth. The book itself does not name Jesus, and detailed typological identifications require argument. See Esther 9:1, Matthew 1:1, Matthew 1:17. interpretation
How should this book guide our response? Consider courage, timely advocacy, and responsibility toward endangered neighbors. A reading of providence is an interpretation of the story's arrangement, rather than an explicit mention of God's name in its verses. interpretation
Cited: Esther 9:11, Esther 9:17, Esther 9:1, Matthew 1:1, Matthew 1:17
Who wrote it, and how we know
Uncertain; traditionally MordecaiFrom early tradition
What Scripture saysThe book does not name its author. It records that Mordecai wrote these things. Esther 9:20
Early traditionJewish tradition has suggested Mordecai.
What is debatedAuthorship is genuinely unknown. The book never names God directly.
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Esther 9
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Esther is set in the Persian court and provinces during Ahasuerus' reign. The text does not name its author. God's name is not explicitly used in the Hebrew-book narrative as represented here in the KJV; claims about providence are interpretive conclusions from the story. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The danger is addressed through a new decree, and the events become the basis for the observance of Purim.
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The danger is addressed through a new decree, and the events become the basis for the observance of Purim.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Esther
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Esther is set in the Persian court and provinces during Ahasuerus' reign. The text does not name its author. God's name is not explicitly used in the Hebrew-book narrative as represented here in the KJV; claims about providence are interpretive conclusions from the story.